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10 Best Tick Remover Tools – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Jessica Kim

By Jessica Kim

man removing tick from dog with tweezers

As the days become warmer in springtime, more people tend to spend more time outdoors with their pets. Regardless of where you live, it’s helpful to have a tick remover tool, as these parasites are resilient and can inhabit many different spaces, including urban areas.

Tick remover tools help pick out ticks cleanly to avoid infections. There are a few different designs, and people will have their own preferences for their favorite tick remover tool. We have reviews of some of the different kinds of tick remover tools commonly sold in stores. They’ll help you choose the right one for you so that you can keep your dog or cat safe from any potential health issues associated with tick bites.

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A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Dr. Mercola Tick Removal Tool Dr. Mercola Tick Removal Tool
  • Ergonomic design
  • Twists to remove ticks cleanly
  • Less painful on pets
  • Best Value
    Second place
    ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool
  • Relatively affordable
  • Comes in two sizes
  • Ergonomic design
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    FURminator Flea & Tick Finder FURminator Flea & Tick Finder
  • Can comb straight to your dog’s skin
  • Magnifying glass and LED light to help you see clearly
  • Interchangeable combs
  • Best for Kittens & Puppies
    Summit Tick Take Tick Remover Tool Summit Tick Take Tick Remover Tool
  • Removes tick in one motion
  • Scoop quickly captures ticks
  • Very portable
  • The Tick Key The Tick Key
  • Slim design
  • Made with durable aluminum
  • Hole guides you to remove ticks cleanly
  • The 10 Best Tick Remover Tools

    1. Dr. Mercola Tick Stick Dog & Cat Tick Removal Tool – Best Overall

    Dr. Mercola Tick Stick Dog & Cat Tick Removal Tool

    Check Price on Chewy
    Material: Plastic
    Type: Prong

    This Dr. Mercola Tick Stick Dog & Cat Tick Removal Tool is immensely helpful for most pet owners. It has an ergonomic design so that you always maintain a secure grip, and it comes in two sizes to accommodate different size ticks. This tool is also very portable, so you can carry it with you everywhere you go. just be careful of how you store it because it can easily snap if you have it in your pocket and you accidentally sit on it.

    The unique shape of this tick remover tool allows for minimal pain and irritation for pets because it can help you remove ticks without pressing or pinching your pet’s skin. Rather than pulling the tick straight up, this tool is meant to be used in a twisting motion. When you twist a tick off, you’re more likely to prevent the tick’s mouth from getting stuck beneath the skin. Because this tool is so versatile and easy to use, and it comes at a reasonably affordable price, it’s the overall best tick remover tool that you can find.

    Pros
    • Ergonomic design
    • Twists to remove ticks cleanly
    • Less painful on pets
    Cons
    • Can break easily if not stored away properly

    2. ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool – Best Value

    ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool

    Material: Plastic
    Type: Prong

    Most tick remover tools are pretty cheap and easy to replace. So, you’ll want to make sure to look for one that is both affordable and durable. The ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool is a great affordable option that’ll also last you a long time. Because it’s reasonably priced and made with a high-quality design, it’s easily the best tick remover tool for the money.

    This tick remover tool has an ergonomic design, and you can pull ticks off cleanly by twisting them off. Just keep in mind that the base of this tool can be a bit thick, which can potentially be an issue if you’re dealing with smaller ticks. Fortunately, it comes in two sizes, so just make sure to determine which one would be the appropriate tool to use depending on the size of the tick.

    Pros
    • Relatively affordable
    • Comes in two sizes
    • Ergonomic design
    Cons
    • Base can be too thick for smaller ticks

    3. FURminator Flea & Tick Finder Dog & Cat Brush – Premium Choice

    FURminator Flea & Tick Finder Dog & Cat Brush

    Material: Stainless steel, rubber
    Type: Brush

    If you live in an area that’s known to have a dense population of ticks, it can be helpful to invest in certain tools that help you locate ticks on your dog’s skin. While this FURminator Flea & Tick Finder Dog & Cat Brush is relatively expensive, it’s effective in finding ticks on your pet’s skin quickly.

    This tool has a comb that helps you to see right down to your pet’s skin and also comes with an LED light and magnifying lens to help you find eggs and the smallest parasites. It comes with interchangeable combs to suit different coat types, and they help you look for different kinds of parasites.

    Overall, this tool ensures the safety of your pet after spending time outdoors by making the search for fleas and ticks more efficient and effective.

    Pros
    • Can comb straight to your dog’s skin
    • Magnifying glass and LED light to help you see clearly
    • Interchangeable combs
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive

    4. Summit Tick Take Tick Remover Tool – Best for Kittens and Puppies

    Summit Tick Take Tick Remover Tool

    Material: Plastic
    Type: Scoop

    Tick removal can be especially challenging for energetic and squirmy kittens and puppies. So, it’s important to use a tool that is easy to use and can remove ticks cleanly as quickly as possible.

    This Summit Tick Take Tick Remover Tool has a simple design, but It’s effective in removing ticks in one motion. It has a set of prongs at the end of a scoop, and all you have to do is place the prongs around the tick and scoop it up. The tick will land inside the scoop, making it easy to dispose of it properly. The other end of this tool has a hole punched through it so that you can attach it to a keyring and carry it with you everywhere.

    Just keep in mind you have to keep the skin taut in order to use this tool. So, it may not be the best option for pets that have looser skin, like Basset Hounds, Shar Peis, and Pugs. They also may not be as effective for ticks that have latched onto a kitten’s primordial pouch.

    Pros
    • Removes tick in one motion
    • Scoop quickly captures ticks
    • Very portable
    Cons
    • Doesn’t work well in areas with loose skin

    5. The Tick Key

    The Original Tick Key

    Material: Aluminum
    Type: Prong

    One of the major benefits of this tick remover tool is that it’s very portable and durable. It has a slim design so that you can attach it to your set of keys without it starting to feel bulky. It’s made with aluminum that won’t bend easily, so it’ll last you a long time.

    The tool is also relatively easy to use. It has a hole that can guide you to the proper placement of the tick. Once the tick is positioned inside the hole, all you have to do is pull it out. The only thing to keep in mind is that this tick remover tool may not be as effective on dogs with thick coats and long hair. The base of this tool is a bit wide, so it may not be able to reach the skin. However, if you have a pet with relatively short hair for a single coat, this usually isn’t an issue.

    Pros
    • Slim design
    • Made with durable aluminum
    • Hole guides you to remove ticks cleanly
    Cons
    • May not work well with dogs with thicker coats

    6. TickEase Tick Removal Tweezer Tool

    TickEase Tick Removal Tweezer Tool

    Material: Stainless steel
    Type: Prong and tweezer

    This TickEase tick remover tool is safe to use on both animals and humans. It has two ends to help you remove ticks of all sizes and levels of engorgement. The tweezer side has extremely fine tips so that it can pull out very small ticks. This side is more effective to use on humans, while the other side has two prongs, which can safely lift and remove ticks from your pet’s skin.

    This tool is made with 100% stainless steel that can withstand high heat so that you can sterilize it properly after use. It also comes with a magnifying glass to help you easily locate ticks throughout your pet’s body.

    The design of this tick remover tool is meant to be used in the home. it’s not very portable and not the best option to take with you outdoors. The tweezer end is relatively sharp, so it can easily poke you or tear through thin material if you’re not careful.

    Pros
    • Extremely fine tweezer tips pick up smaller ticks
    • Made with 100% stainless steel
    • Comes with magnifying glass
    Cons
    • Not easy to bring with you outdoors

    7. HomeSake Tick Remover Tool and Tweezer Set

    HomeSake Tick Remover Tool and Tweezer Set

    Material: Stainless steel
    Type: Prong and tweezer

    This HomeSake Tick Remover Tool and Tweezer Set is an excellent set of tools to have on hand. It’s safe to use on both animals and humans. The set comes in a convenient storage pouch so that you can carry it with you everywhere. One tool in the set is a tweezer with fine tips, which helps to remove smaller and younger ticks. The other tool is a prong that can remove engorged ticks cleanly by scooping them up in one motion.

    Both tools are made with durable stainless steel that’s meant to last many years. However, the tools don’t really have an ergonomic design. So, it can be a bit uncomfortable to use if you find yourself having to remove multiple ticks.

    Pros
    • Safe to use on animals and humans
    • Comes in convenient storage pouch
    • Effectively removes ticks of all sizes
    • Made with durable stainless steel
    Cons
    • Can be uncomfortable to use for multiple tick removals

    8. Ticked Off Tick Remover

    The Original Ticked Off Tick Remover

    Material: Plastic
    Type: Prong

    The Ticked Off Tick Remover has a scoop design to help you remove ticks without coming in contact with them. The scoop has a pronged end that helps you to trap and remove ticks and get them to land directly inside the scoop. It’s especially helpful for animals and pets with longer hair because the tick won’t be able to hide in the coat after it’s been removed.

    This tick remover tool also has a hole on the other end so that you can attach it to your set of keys and carry it with you everywhere. The only issue with this tool is that you have to keep the skin taught in order to remove the tick cleanly. So, it doesn’t work as well for pets with loose skin.

    Pros
    • Helps dispose ticks without any direct contact
    • Scoop prevents ticks from hiding in coat after removal
    • Can attach to keychains
    Cons
    • Doesn’t work well in areas with loose skin

    9. TickCheck Premium Dog Tick Removal Kit

    TickCheck Premium Dog Tick Removal Kit

    Material: Stainless steel
    Type: Fork and tweezer

    The TickCheck Premium Dog Tick Removal Kit is a great set for outdoor enthusiasts. It comes with one prong tool and one set of tweezers. The kit also includes a leather pouch with dividers stitched in it so that you can easily access the tools while you’re on the go.

    The prong tool has a narrow base so that you can easily reach the base of the skin on dogs with thicker coats. It also has grooves on it so that you can easily grip it. The tweezers have fine points so that you can pick up smaller ticks. It has a flat design so that it can fit easily into the portable pouch. However, this design does make it a bit more uncomfortable to use and difficult to grip.

    Pros
    • Tools can remove all kinds of ticks
    • Prong tool has narrow base to reach base of the skin
    • Kit includes portable leather pouch
    Cons
    • Tweezers are difficult to grip

    10. Coghlan’s Tick Remover

    Coghlan's Tick Remover

    Material: Plastic
    Type: Clamp

    This Coghlan’s Tick Remover has a unique design that’s specifically made to remove ticks. It’s extremely easy to use once you get the hang of it. The tool is extremely lightweight and comes with a clip so that you can easily attach it to a belt buckle or when you’re outside.

    This tool has a spring-loaded end that helps you get a tight and secure grip on ticks. It helps you to remove ticks in a twisting motion so that you have a greater chance of removing ticks cleanly without leaving any parts of the tick head beneath the skin. Just keep in mind that it’s important to use this tool in a gentle twisting motion because if you either twist too quickly or just pull straight up, the tick’s head is most likely going to break off.

    Pros
    • Spring-loaded to provide secure grip on ticks
    • Light-weight and portable
    • Twists ticks off cleanly
    Cons
    • Must be used in certain motion to prevent breaking tick head

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    Tips for Safe Tick Removal

    Removing ticks can be particularly challenging for several reasons. First, it’s important to use the proper motion so that you remove ticks completely without leaving any piece of the head still attached to the skin. It can also be difficult to remove ticks on pets that are particularly active and very resistant to pain.

    Ticks can also hide very well underneath thick coats, so it can be difficult to ensure that you’ve removed all of them. Having the right tools can certainly make tick removal a much easier process. The following additional tips can help ensure you remove ticks more quickly and safely.

    tick on dog's fur
    Image by: Jen Helton, Shutterstock

    Have an Extra Set of Hands

    It’s always helpful to have someone help you with removing ticks, especially if it’s your first time doing it. You can designate someone to hold your pet and keep it distracted. This person can keep your pet’s attention away from you removing the ticks by soothing it or feeding it some treats.

    While your pet is in someone else’s grip, you are free to scan your pet’s coat for ticks thoroughly. You’ll also have both hands available to ensure you’re using tick remover tools correctly and getting ticks removed cleanly and in one try.


    Use Treats

    Treats can be used as a distraction and also as a reward for any good behavior. Look for opportunities to reward your pet for good behavior. For example, your pet can receive a treat if it sits calmly as you scan its coat for ticks. You can also give your pet a treat after every time you remove a tick.

    Giving treats can start to build a positive association with tick removal. This will help your pet stay calm throughout the process over time. You can also have practice sessions with your pet by doing routine tick checks. Completing routine checks for ticks and rewarding your pet for sitting through them can help your pet feel more comfortable with tick removals.

    pitbull puppy getting a treat
    Image by: A. Dunbar, Shutterstock

    Use a Light and Magnifying Glass

    Ticks come in all shapes and sizes, and it can be particularly difficult to look for them if they’re not engorged yet. So, it can be helpful to also invest in a light and magnifying glass. These tools can help you locate ticks more easily, especially if you have a pet with a darker coat or a coat color that enables ticks to blend in and camouflage.


    Dispose of Ticks Properly

    It’s important to dispose of ticks properly to prevent any health issues or the spread of diseases. When scanning for ticks on your pet’s skin, make sure to wear disposable gloves so that you don’t come in direct contact with ticks.

    Ticks are resilient so it’s important to make sure that you kill them before throwing them away. One way to ensure that they’re disposed of properly is to soak them in alcohol. Then, you can either flush them down the toilet or toss them in a garbage bin. If you don’t have any alcohol, wrap the tick tightly up in tape before disposing of it.


    Monitor for Symptoms

    Ticks can come with a variety of diseases, such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and anaplasmosis. So, it’s important to monitor your pet’s condition after you safely remove a tick. Familiarize yourself with the different signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases commonly known in your area. If you want to play it extra safe, you can take the tick to your veterinarian to test for any diseases.

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    In Conclusion

    Based on our reviews, the Dr. Mercola Tick Stick Dog & Cat Tick Removal Tool is the best tick remover tool because it’s easy to use and consistently removes ticks cleanly. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool is an excellent affordable option that also has a durable design.

    Having the right tick remover tool can help prevent your pet from getting a tick-borne disease. So, make sure to take some time to look for the right tool before taking your pet on outdoor excursions.


    Featured Image Credit: Jen Helton, Shutterstock

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